Understanding
reservoir behavior
with pore scale
analysis.

ZEISS Microscopy Solutions for Oil & Gas

zeiss.com/oil-and-gas

Oil & Gas

The flow of oil and gas through subsurface reservoirs isgoverned by the scale of the tiny, tortuous pathways in
the rock through which low occurs. While frequently thefundamental pore, grain and mineralogical structures canbe understood at these tiny scales, this often comes at theexpense of a field of view representative of real geologicalstructures. These structures can exhibit heterogeneity ranging
from the kilometer to the nanometer scales. The ZEISS portfolioof light, X-ray, electron and ion microscopes is uniquely capableof solving these multiscale and multi-physics challenges, fusing,integrating and correlating data together and even observing
reservoir processes directly in situ. This enables, for the first time,
all pore scale information to be acquired based on macroscopic
heterogeneity, and all the resulting insights to be directly andquantitatively upscaled to the core plug and whole core scales.

GeomodelWireline log

Core samplingBridgeto thepore scale

History
Matching

Production predictionDynamic reservoir model

Experimentation

3

Digital Rock Physics & Core Analysis
Advanced platform for multiscale digital rock physics

In situ core analysis

Pore scale modeling and simulation

limited by the image field of view,

and optical magnification. This enables

have developed into a crucial workflow

traditionally limited by sample sizes.

a Scout-and-Zoom workflow where

for the oil industry where petrophysicalAs the ultimate field of view accessible

an initial large field-of-view scan

properties (such as absolute and relative

to the model is limited, so is its ability

provides a digital twin of the samplepermeability) can be computed using

to incorporate geological heterogeneity.

at low resolution, first to quantitatively

known fluid properties and a three-10 mm

5 mm

50 µm

Brine

Brine

Oil

Oil

characterize and classify macroscopic

dimensional representation of poreZEISS Xradia Versa X-ray microscopes

heterogeneity and then to identify

structure (frequently found using X-ray

are the first non-invasive high resolution

locations for high resolution scans.

microscopy).

imaging systems where the achievable

These high resolution scans are thenBridge
used
as an input for pore-scale models
to theinintegrated
pore-scale fluid low
pore scale
simulation software.

History resolution is not limited by the sample
Matching size. This capability is enabled by theSuch techniques, however, are limitedby the size of the pore networks theyunique dual magnification architecture

are able to examine, which is in turnof the system, coupling geometric

Grain
Oil
Brine
Grain

Rock

25 µm

Multiscale in situ imaging of steady state flow through a sandstone core.

RockThe results of these simulations can beClassification

Sampling

used for upscaled core-scale simulations

One of the most challenging aspects

platform for a wide range of in situ

based on the large field-of-view image.

when examining reservoir rocks atexperiments. These solutions can solve

As this entire workflow is non-destructive,

the pore scale is that they frequently

a wide array of problems, from thethe sample can be used for further core-

involve multiple physical processes

dynamic imaging of low processes

scale analysis, increasing agreement

occurring at the same time that areto the characterization of wettability

between experiments and modeling.

challenging to incorporate into a single

distributions in whole core mixed wetmodel. For the first time, you cancarbonate samples, to the imaging of

examine these processes directly bypore scale fluid distributions within a 1”

extending core analysis down to thecore plug. Integrated geomechanics canpore scale to examine fundamental low

be used to directly image grain scale

physics, including wettability changes,

deformations to yield more information

relative permeability, pore occupancy,with in situ study. Deformations canmineralogy changes and reactive

be examined both qualitatively andExtension of reservoirprocesses with in situ techniques.

quantitatively to determine key graincharacterization workflow

ZEISS offers a range of in situ solutions

scale mechanisms, which can then bewith advanced imaging

for X-ray microscopy,including

used to guide the creation of pore scale

integrated relative permeability

digital rock models. As these models

measurements, geomechanicalbetter incorporate pore and grain scale

experiments and a flexible in situ

physics, they can then better predict

integration kit, providing a universal

macroscopic behavior.

and analysis

Simulation / ExperimentUpscaling & Creationof composite model

4

Quantitative petrophysicalprediction

Brine
Oil

25 µm

Wettability measurements on heterogeneous mixed
wet carbonate.

5Mineralogical Analysis
Quantitative mineralogy

3D mineralogy

One of the greatest challenges facing

Couple 2D quantitative mineralogicalpetroleum engineers attempting toanalysis and correlate with 3D X-ray

characterize the low and geomechanicalmicroscopy to extend information

properties of subsurface reservoirs isabout local mineralogical identificationthat of mineralogical heterogeneity.

into 3D. First, scan a sample using theManual techniques (such as thinZEISS Xradia Versa X-ray microscopesection analysis) are challenging toat high resolution. Then, import thisscale and automate, so increasingly
engineers are turning to automatedSandstone

Carbonatedata into the ZEISS Atlas 5 correlative

Shale

workspace. Next, measure quantitativemineralogical analysis using energy

mineralogy on the same sample anddispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis

correlate to the region examined byon a high resolution scanning electron
microscope. Traditional techniques

5-10 µm
46.62%
30,083 particles

10-15 µm
18.31%4,303 particles

15-20 µm
9.41%
1,199 particles

2-25 µm
6.01%
476 particles

250 µmX-ray. This permits the 3D image to be

Integrate multiscale, multimodal images using ZEISS Atlas 5 with X-ray and electron microscopy forfully-classified into different mineral

3D mineralogy.

using spectral correlation to comparegroupings, giving much more reliable

the EDS spectrum to a database forbulk mineralogy measurements,

assigning mineral identification on

as well as 3D clay connectivity anda pixel-by-pixel basis is challenged

even wettability distributions forto differentiate subtle changes in

3D modelling.

mineralogy (e.g., clay composition),
which may have a great impaction fluid
low or response to salinity change.
ZEISS transforms mineralogical analysis
with the only fully-quantitativemineralogical mapping system – the40 µm

C below 45

C below 45 S

C below 45 S2

C below 45 S2 plus

C45

C45 plus

C45 plus S

C45 plus S2

C45 plus S2 plus

C45 S

C45 S2

C45 S2 plus

patented ZEISS Mineralogic Reservoir.

Grains, including organics, may be viewed independently or organized and sorted

Now you can achieve a full chemical

by measured physical parameters.

description of the reservoir rock as well

250 µmRendering of 3D mineralogy by correlating 2D chemical information from quantitative EDS mapping with
3D structural information from X-ray microscopy.

as a map of each individual mineral anda range of grain-by-grain information,
including grain size distributions,texturaland lithological granular classificationand morphological measurements.

67

Rock Characterization
Correlative techniques & the heterogeneity challenge

Into the third dimension

Complex subsurface systems, particularly

workspace (up to 50,000 x 40,000

Light, electron, X-ray and ion

ranging from the whole core toExtend rock characterization techniques

unconventional resources, are dominatedpixels) on ZEISS electron microscopes.

microscopy solutions from ZEISS

the nanometer. Use multiscale

to perform nanoscale 3D imaging using

by nanoscale pore structures such as

This, coupled with industry-leadingare exclusively equipped to solve

workflows coupled with novel

focused Ion beam-SEM on the ZEISS

organic-hosted porosity, complex

beam and detector stability, means

the pore scale challenges you face.

pore-scale core analysis workflowsCrossbeam series. Industry-leading

pyritization and inter/intra-granularlarge area scan be imaged with minimal

You can solve the principal issues

to solve problems where subsurface

beam currents and stability as well as a

microporosity. Such structures are often

user interaction.

associated with pore-scale analysis,

physics is poorly understood, such

unique imaging-while-milling capability

those of heterogeneity and scale,as when trying to understandallow imaging at greatly increased

highly heterogeneous, and frequently
the resolution sufficient to image

You can also rapidly digitize reservoir

by extending and integrating

the wettability distribution inthroughput, meaning that you canthem comes at the expense of a truly

rock samples to extract reservoir-quality

multimodal analyses over scales

heterogeneous mixed wet systems.

acquire larger, more representative

representative field of view.

indicators such as macro & micro

volumes at nanometer resolution

porosity, grain size and sorting, and3D rendering of FIB-SEM volume of organic-hosted

Multiscale correlative analysis of a 1-inch shale end-trim(40x40x40 μm). Patented, real-time

ZEISS light, X-ray, electron and ion

mineralogy. Share virtually with multiple

microscopes are uniquely capable ofglobal collaborators. Image up to 50

tracking technology enables nanoscalesolving this challenge. Image large

standard petrographic thin sections

porosity is shown in blue, kerogen in red, quartz

areas without sacrificing resolution

under various contrast modes using thein green and pyrite in yellow.

5-10X faster than traditional “tiling”

high through-put ZEISS Axio Scan.Z1

slice registration, which minimizes

techniques using the Atlas correlative

microscope platform.

the loss of data from post-acquisition

porosity from subsurface onshore US shale, imaged

isometric voxel sizes.

using 2.5 x 2.5 x 5 nm voxels. Kerogen-hosted

This method also enables real-timeregistration and subsequent cropping.
This integrated capacity offers a stepchange in your capability to understandsubsurface processes, allowing you toinvestigate reservoir rocks, and the oil
ZEISS Xradia Versa X-ray Microscope (XRM) –ZEISS Xradia Versa XRM – 0.7 µm voxel size

24 µm voxel sizeand gas that low through them likenever before.

1.2 µmDirectly measure porosity without worrying about
pore-back issues with multi-detector blending,
together using 3D EDS mapping on Atlas 5.
Imaged at 2.5 nm pixel size.

Full slide image mosaics of a sandstone petrographic thin section imaged at 20X under multiple contrast modes.

250 µmand couple chemical and structural information

ZEISS Xradia Versa submicron and Ultra nanoscale

ZEISS Crossbeam 550 FIB-SEM – 2.5 nm voxel size

XRM – 65 nm voxel size

89Geoscience Education
Training the geoscientists of tomorrow

Training the geoscientists ofModern geoscience education is focused

The rise of distance learning also

ZEISS has a broad range of optical

Blended learning, incorporating data

the future is essential for theprimarily on data interpretation ratherdrives a need for remote control andmicro scopes supporting typicalfrom a whole range of sources into

health of geoscience as a whole.

than the process of data acquisition.

use of image and analytical data. In

undergraduate techniques. As a pioneer

the teaching environment with ZEISSThe ZEISS teaching microscopeThis has led to the demand for a greater

the university environment, blendedof the digital classroom concept,

correlative solutions, enables you to

portfolio offers a software

focus on data sharing and interaction

learning is a growing application thatseveral ZEISS micro scope cameras areeasily communicate concepts using

platform enabling efficientand a simplification of the hardware

incorporates both optical and electron

WiFi-enabled. You can now control

practical examples.

and shared learning.

used to produce the data itself.

microscope data to complement theplatforms remotely over a network tosubject you are teaching. A goodpresent data, sharing with a distributed

understanding of geological sciencesaudience, projecting images and theiris grounded in a competence for using

annotations via modern mobile devices

the available instrumentation toolbox.

with the ZEISS geo-science educational

Simplifying the learning process by

portfolio.

using a common control software
package across instruments makes theinterpretation of data available to awide audience simultaneously.

Digital Classroom – WiFi-connected Primotech

Use a tablet to display images from any
WiFi-enabled microscope in a hive. Annotate,share, and save images in collections using atablet as the control device.

1011ZEISS Products for Oil and Gas Research

Xradia Versa 3D X-ray microscope

ZEISS Xradia Context CT Imaging

Xradia Ultra Nanoscale XRM

ZEISS Mineralogic

ZEISS Atlas 5 Correlative microscopy

ZEN (ZEISS Efficient Navigation) andwith FPX

3D non-destrucative large sample imaging

Virtual core analysis providing nanoscale

Automated mineralogy software for digital

workspace

ZEN Browser

High resolution, non-destructive imaging

at full field of view.

pore structure measurements.

petrophysical analysis. Characterize rock texture

Correlative microscopy for multi-scale, multi-modal,

Single user interface found on all light microscopes.

of geological samples, including very large

with submicron precision using the industry

multi-dimensional imaging and analysis. Blended

Simply and quickly get to result with repeatability

and precious samples.

standard in oil and gas automated mineralogy.

learning workspace enables remote control ofand reproducibility.

Compatible with SEM and FIB-SEM microscopes.

instruments and collaboration across geographies
and imaging modalities.

Crossbeam FIB-SEM

Sigma 300 field emission scanning electron

EVO scanning electron microscopeHigh throughput 3D analysis and sample prep.

microscope with Mineralogic Reservoir

High stability analytical design, three chamber

Integrated imaging and analytical solution forGreater analysis ﬂexibility and simpler

sizes, flexible port configuration options andunderstanding the challenges of flow andworkﬂows in the characterization ofcompatible mineral analysis software make EVO

transport in unconventional resources.

ores and sediments.

your scanning electron microscope for analyzing
morphology, mineralogy and composition ofgeological samples such as shales, sandstones
and carbonates.

Axio Scan.Z1 slide scanner for brightfield,

Axio Imager 2 for polarization with

Primotech wireless hive optical

fluorescence, and polarization

multi-phase software

microscopeHigh throughput digitization of reservoir rocks

Tailored to demanding analysis tasks. Benefit

Wi-Fi enabled teaching microscope withfor indicators such as macro and micro porosity.

from crisp images, high optical performancetablet support and app control. Enables social

StereoPolarized Light Confocal

Digitization

3D X-ray

Automated

Scanning

FIB-SEM

Charged Ion

and an automated workflow.

viewing of images under the scope and hasMicroscopesMicroscopes

Microscope

Microscopes

Mineralogy

ElectronMicroscopes

Microscopes

Microscopes

Microscopes

the ability to act as a node in a hive of teaching
microscopes or as the teacher’s microscopein the digital classroom.

12

The most advanced technology for the highest quality data.

13

Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH07745 Jena, Germany
microscopy@zeiss.com
www.zeiss.com/microscopy

Not for therapeutic use, treatment or medical diagnostic evidence. Not all products are available in every country. Contact your local ZEISS representative for more information.
EN_44_011_040 | CZ-05/2020 | Design, scope of delivery and technical progress subject to change without notice. | © Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH